Car-retarding rail



,r'El-*E-RINGER ET AL CAR RETARDI'N/WRAIL Filed My 12, 1927 'March 25, 1930.

ane,

2 Sheets-Sheet l @of 4l w mw March 25, 1930. c. E. FEHRINGER ET AL 1,752,162

CARRETARDING RAILl Filed May 12, 1927; 2 shets-sheet .2I4

fvwm/70H5 (/zaz-(esjf'hringer "ND M'z'gil/Lane Patented Mar. 25, 1930 UNITED STATS ATEN. icl. g

CHARLES E. FEHRINGER AND vrnsra in. LANE, on naar srjLoUrs, ILLINOIS f CAR-RETARDING RAIL Application filed May 12, 1927.' Serial No. 190,825. i

rlihis invention relates to a retarder of the electromagnet type, more particularly to an electric magnet retarding rail section, andhas for its obj ect to provide, in a. manner as here- 5 inafter set forth for the controlling of the speed Yof rolling stock down an incline, but more particularly for the controlling of the speed of freight cars travelling down an inclined portion of arailway track and into a w classification track when itis desired that switching of cars be handled by use of the hump system.

Further objects of the invention are to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, an electromagnet retarder forthe purpose referred to which is simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, compact, thoroughly efficient in its use, automatic in its action, readily installed with respect to a track rail to form a continuation thereof, and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture. T/Vith the foregoingL and other objects in view the invention consists of the novel construction, combination andn arrangement of parts as hereinafter more specifically described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.V wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications can be resorted to'which fall within the scope of the claims hereunto appended. l n In the drawings ywherein like kreference characters denote corresponding yparts throughout the several views: Y y n Figure 1 is .a fragmentaryvr view inl plan of a track rail showing the adaptation therewith .of a plurality of retarders in accordance withv this invention.

Figure 2 is a Vvertical sectional view of a 4o retarder", inaccordancewith this invention,

clamped Vto asupporting baseor tie, and further lillustrating in side elevation, a fragmentaryportion of a wheel of a carin position with respect to the top ofthe retarder.V

at lright angles to Figure V2 and further illustrating in dotted lines the lower portion of the wheel of a car in respecttofthetop `of the retarder. n v

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view illustrat- Figure 3 is asection of the retarder takenl ing the current control with respect to a f' retarder.`

The retarder is constructed to have its ltop form a continuation of a section/of a track rail and is in itself a normally de-energized electromagnet and whichl when energized, bythe wheel ange ofa wheel travelling thereover will retard the revolvingof such wheel due to the attraction between the magnet and the wheel body, under such con- 50 i 'as the head 5, ybut the base .4 extends in a direction at right angles to the head 5. The width of the base 4 corresponds to the length ofthe head 5. The base 4 is 'formed with i' vertically disposed openings 6V for the passage ofanchoring means 7 which; are embeddedLin a suitable foundation 8. The core, 5 is cylindrical and is provided with the windings 9. Thewindings of the coil are to i be in percentage tapsI of fivev horsepower," ranging to the maximum of retarding power',A i desired. y The head 5 isthe armature of the magnet andthe upper face of the head 5, at the longi- V- tudinal median thereof is formed with groove 10 which extends from one end of the i other vend of the head and the'bottom of said *i i u groove is indicated at 11 and its iside walls at 12, 18. The head 5 is'furthermore formed y with a channel 11L which extends from one end to the other end thereof yand which is pro` vided bycutting away one side ofthe bottom 11 of the groove 10. The side wall 12 of the groove V10 is extended to form one Vside wall of the channel 14.` .The bottom of the chan.- nel 14 is indicated at 15`and its'other side wall at-16. VThe bottom l1, of the groove .10 forms a tread surface for the wheel 17 and f the channel l14 forms ay v,space for the flangev 18 of the wheel 17 to travel through. Thel width of the groove 10 is materially greater.

than the width of the wheel andthe Vchannel 14 is of a width materially greater than the thickness of the wheel flange 18.

Associated with each retarder is a current control therefor and which is illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 4, and by reference to the latter A is a magnetic contacter switch and includes the magnetic coil 30, the contacter switch 29 'actuated by the arms 30, 30, the fuses 25, 25, and the inter.

Y contacter buttons 19, 19 are spring actuated and will return fromtheir depressed posi-V tion to their normal position when pressure is removed from them. The spring mechanism forreturning the contacter buttons 19,A

' 19 is not shown in Figure 4. f

rlhe operation of the current control device, shown in Figure 4, is asl follows:

When the contacter button 19 is pushed downward to the position 19 Contact is made and a circuit is maintained through conduc-` tor w1resr23, 24 24 and 24, and the mag-v neticycoilBO is energized and draws in the Yarm30 adapted to carry the arm 30 and closes the contacter switch 29 and the interlock switch 24, which is also actuated by the arm 30" through the arm 24. Then the contacter switch 29 is closed a circuit is maintained through the conductor wires 21, 22, which areconnected to the winding of the electro-magnet retarder, and the electromagnetVv retarder is energized. 'The electromagnet retarder is not shown in Figure 4.

When the contact button 19 is released it will return te its normal position, being so actuated by a spring, not shown, and no current passes through conductorV wires V24, 24,

but conductor wire 2,4,r known as a maintaining circuit, is in circuit V,and maintains the interlockV switch f 24 in a closed position which prevents the mag- Vneticjcentaotor switch 29 from opening.

When the contacter button-19 is pushed "downward tothe position 19 contact is broken and so is the circuit through cen.- ductor wires. Y23', 24'-, 24 and the magnetic Vcoil 30 cle-energized and the gmagnetic contaeter switch 29" opens, and the circuitthrough the conductor wires 21, 22 is broken andthe electro-magnet retarder de-cnergized- On closing Vof the circuit it will provide for the venergizing ofthe magnet and the latterk will act to retardthe travel of the wheel 17 due te the attraction between the magnet and the wheel. The circuit closing and Vopening Y tinuatien thereof.

device may be of any suitable construction.

capable of performing the function required therefor, and preferably it is of the magnetic start and stop type, and is so arranged that after the flange 18 leaves the retarder, for a distance say about two inches the device will be operated to open the magnet circuit. The switch element 19 closes the circuit and the switch element 19 opens it. The positioning of the switch element 19, centrally in the manner shewn is to overcome pull of the wheel towards the center of the retarder forwardly. 1f the electric power was turned on before the car wheel reached the center of theretarder, the wheel would receive a pull Vtoward the center and give it an increase in speed, naturally osetting the full retarding power desired. If the object being pulled is before it, it will pull it to the centerV and ifA Ypast the center it will ypull' it back. Se the switch is placed in the center of the retarder that nol energy is placed in the magnet until the car wheel has reached the center when the only Vpull will be back, andthe greatest pull' will be when it goes to leave the retarder, Whemdepending upon the windings of the coil if desired it can be made terrific.

The head 5 is formed with a bore 20 which leads to and opens into the channel14. As Y shown the bore 20 extends from one side edge of the head 5 to the wall 12 of the groove 10. The inner end of the bore 20 is directed downwardly towards the switch element 19. The bore 20 is provided for thepassage of circuit connections to the terminals of the switch element 19. Y

Figure 1 illustrates a track rail formed of a series of spaced rail sections 26, 27 and 28,

having interposed therebetween the retarders 29, 81. The retarder 29 is interposed between the rail sections 26, and 27 andl forms acon- The retarder 31 is interposed between the rail sections 27 and 28 and Y formsa continuation thereof. The retarder 29 is insulated fromvrail section 26, Vas at` 34, and from rail section- 27 as at 33.` The retarder 31 is insulated from' rail sections 27,1

28, as Aat 37,' 38'respectively. The ktread surfaceof each Yofthe track raily sections isy indicated at 39 and thefbottem 11 of the groove 10 formed in each head 5 of a retarder forms a continuatieno-f the tread surface 39'. j The V .channels 14 are positioned with respect to the inner side 40 of the treadfsurf'ace 39 ofea'ch of the track raill sections. Y

of each base is'the same.y The length of the base is thirty inches. The core 5 of the retarder isef aV diameter materially less than Vthe -width andlength ofvr the head and base.

Preferably the length ofa track`rv rail section which is interposed between the retarder'sis forty-two inches. The track rail sections are dead rails. The number of retarders inter- `Preferably the length ofeach Vhead of a 1.20

retarder is twenty-four inches and the width. Y

posed on a down grade will be such as is suitable forproper control of a car. It will be understoodhowever that the length of a retarder can be as desired and this statement .also applies to the railsection which is interposedy between a pair of retarders.

When the retarders are employed they act as a means to control the speed of cars when travelling down a grade or rather an inclined portion of a railway track in a thoroughly elllcient manner and therefore it is thought that the many advantages of a retarder, in accordance with this invention, can be readily understood, and although the preferred embodiment of the invention is as illustrated and described, yet it is to be understood that changes in the details Vof construction can be had which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

`What we c laim is r- 1. A retarder device for rolling stock comprising an electromagnet normally in an open circuit for interposition between, insulatedA from and'forming a continuation of the t-read surfaces of a pair of track rail sections, and means operatedvby the flange of a wheel travelling over said magnet for closing the magnet circuit when the wheel flange reaches the center of the magnet and for openng the magnet circuit when the wheel flange passes clear of the magnet.

2.. A retarder device for rolling stock comprising an electromagnet normally in an open circuit for interposition between, insulated from and forming a continuation of the tread surfaces of a pair of track rail sections, and means operated by the flange of a wheel travelling over said magnet for closing the magnetl circuit vwhen the wheel flange reaches the center of the magnet and for opening the magnet circuit when the wheel flange passes clear of the magnet, said. meansbeing arranged within and below 'the top of the mag-y net and forwardly of the magnet. f

3. Aretarder device for rolling stock comprising a track railsection inthe form of an electromagnet normally in e an open circuit, and means within the head of the magnet and engaged by the-flangerof a wheel travelling over said head for closing the magnet circuit when the flange reaches the Y center of the head.1

4, /A retarder forinterposition between the sections of a track rail to form a continuationv 5. 'A retarder for'interposition between thek sections of a track rail to form a continuation thereof comprising a body portion consisting of an electromagnet having arranged inthe upper part thereof a normally inactive cir,-

cuit closing means therefor, adapted to be engaged by the flange of a wheel travelling over the magnet to close the circuit for the latter thereby providing'for the energizing of the magnet to cause the latter to attract the wheel to retard travel of the latter as it passesI over the magnet, said body formed below its upper face with a tread surface for the wheel and further formed with a channel depending below the tread surface for the passage of the wheel flange, said passage having said means arranged at the bottom thereof.

6. A retarder for interposition between the l sections of a track rail to form a continuation thereof comprising a body portion consisting of an electromagnet having arranged in theY upper part thereof a normally inactive circuit closing means therefor, adapted to be engaged by the flange of a wheel travelling over the magnet to close the-circuit for the latter thereby providing for the energizing of the magnet to cause the latter to attract the wheel to retard travel of the latter as it` passes over the magnet, sa-id body formed below its upper face with a tread surface for the wheel and further formed with a channel depending below the tread surface for the e passage ofthe wheel flange, said passage having' said means arranged at the bottom there-- and head together, a coilsurrounding said vcylindrical part and forming in connection y with said body an electromagnet, a normally open circuit closing means for said magnet mounted in said head below the upper face 'f .thereof and adaptedto be lengaged by fthe flange of a'wheel travelling over ,said head to close the magnet circuit to provide for the energizingv ofthe magnet whereby the latter; will act to retard thetravel-'of the wheel as it passes over said head..

8.-A retarder comprising a body of coniic Vducting material formed of a head, a base i and a cylindrical part connecting the base.

and head together, a coil surrounding said Y cylindrical part and forming in connection with said body an electromagnet, a normally.

izo f open circuit closing means vfor said magnet mounted in said head below theupper face thereof and adapted to be engaged by the flange of awheel travelling over said head to close the magnetcircuit to provide for the energizing ofthe magnet whereby the latter will act to retard the travel of the wheel as Y it'passes over said head,L said head formed with a tread surface for the wheel, said sur-V face? arranged below theupper face of the ed in said head below the upper face thereofy and adapted to be engaged bythe flangeA of a wheel travelling over said head to close the magnet circuit to provide for the energizing ofthe magnet whereby the latter will act to Vretard the travel of the wheel as it passes over said head', said head formed with 'a tread surface for the wheel, said surface arranged below the upper face of the head, said head further formed with a channel for the passage of the wheel flange, said channel ai'- ranged below said tread surface, said circuit closingmeans positioned in the bottom of said channel substantially at the transverse media-n thereof. Y

l-O. A retarder for the purpose set fourth comprising a body of conducting material formed ofra head, abase and a cylindrical part connecting the head and base together, a coilsurrounding saidcylindrical part and forming'in connection with said body an electromagnet normally inan open circuit, a norinally open circuit closing means for said magnet positioned within said head and adapted to be engaged by the flange of a wheel travelling overthe head to close the magnet circuit thereby energizing the magnet to provide fortlie retardin'g ofthe wheel during the travel thereof over said head, said head pro'- vided in itsupper face with a groove having thel bottom thereof formingY a continuation of thek tread surface of a track ra-il section, Y l

Vrolling stock for. closing the magnetic circuit andsaid head further formed with a channel depending below said'bottom, and pro-V` vidingineans for thepassageof the wheel flange. Y

ll. Afretarder for the purpose set forth comprising a body .of conducting materiall formed of a head, a base 'and a cylindrical pa-rt connecting the heard` and base together, av

coil surrounding said cylindrical part and forming' in connection with said body anY electromagnet normally in an open'circuit,a

normally open circuit closing means for said magnet' positioned within said head and adapted to be' engaged by the flange of a wheel? travelling over the head' to close lthe magnet circuit thereby energizing the magnet to providefor the retarding of the wheell during the travel thereof over said head, said head provided in its upper face with a groove having the bottomthereof forming Ya oontinu'atioii of the tread surface of a traclrrail section, saidliead further formed with achanj nelldepending below said bottom and providing means for the passage ofthe wheel fiange, said circuit closing means positioned magnet positioned within said head and adapted' to be engaged by the flangeof a'wheel travelling over the head to close the maglie .i circuit thereby energizing the magnet to pro-- vide for the retarding of thek wheel during'the'1 travel thereof over said head, said head proided in its upper face with a groovev having the bottom thereof forming a continuation of the tread surface of a track rail section,

ist

said head further formed' with a channel de Y pending` below said bottomV and providing means for the passage of the wheelflange, said circuit closing means positioned in the bottom of said channel, and arranged sub-V stantially in the transverse median of the bottom ofthe channel.

13A Retarding means for rolling stock coin'-v prising the combination with spaced track) rail sections, of magnetic retarder elements-v interposed between and insulated from said sections and each in a normally open circuit,

said elements having their tops formed with tread surfaces for the wheels of the rolling stock and providing continuations of the treat,v surfaces of the track railv sections, said elements further formed with channels at one to provide for theV retarding ofthe wheels when travelling over `the 'treadV surfaces,Y vformed on said elements. Y y Y Y '14. Retardingmeans for rolling stock com-V f prising the icombination with` spa-ced track rail sections, of magnetic retarder elements interposed between and insulatedl from the l ends of said sections andeach iii'a normally open; circuit, said elements having their tops formed with tread surfacesfor the wheelsof the rolling stock and providing continuations i of the tread' surfaces of Mie-track` rail sections, said eleinents further formed with channels at one side of'an-d dependingbelow the tread surfaces for the `passage of the.V flanges of the wheels, a normally inactive ciri cu-itV closing device arranged in each of .said

Vside of and depending below the tread sur- 1 lio.l

'isti l channels and cngagcd'by the iianges ofthe wheels of the rolling stock forv closing ,theF

magnetic circuit to arovide for the reta-rdin y* of they wheels whenY travellingv over the. tread surfaces formed on said elements, said tread surfaces arranged below the upper face of each of said elements.

l5. Retarding means for rolling stock comprising the combination with spaced track rail sections7 of magnetic retarder elements interposed between and insulated from said sections and each in a normally open circuit, said elements having their tops formed with tread surfaces for the wheels of the rolling stock and providing continuations of the tread surfaces of the track rail sections, said elements further formed with channels at one side of and depending below the tread surfaces for the passage of the flanges of the wheels, a normally inactive circuit closing device arranged in each of said channels and engaged by the flanges of the wheels of the rolling stock for closing the magnetic circuit to provide for the retarding of the wheels when travelling over the tread surfaces formed on said elements, said tread surfaces arranged below the upper face of each of said elements, and each or' said circuit closing devices arranged in its associated channel at the bottom thereof at its transverse median.

16. A retarder for rolling stock comprising a track'rail formed of a plurality of sections insulated from each other, certain of said sections being in the form of normally deener` gized electromagnets and including means engaged by the rolling stock when travelling upon the track rail to provide for successively energizing said magnets to retard the travelof the rolling stock thereover, each of said sections including a tread surface for a flanged wheel, and each magnetic section formed with a channel for the passage of the flange of the wheel and having said means arranged therein. f

In testimony whereof, we affix our signatures hereto.

VIRGIL M. LANE. CHARLES E. FEHRINGER. 

